Voting machine



July 7, 1942. K MOORE 2,289,033

VOTING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 XE) 06f/mes @ww NSD@ C. K. MOOREVOTING;- MACHINE Filed July 19, 1957 July 7, 1942.

mb QR L alle: nu.,

July 7, 1942. C. K. MOORE 2,289,033

VOTING MACHINE Filed July 19, 1957 6 Sheets-Shree?l 3 v YWCA/LM /0@Maes/1. M0065' July 7, 1942. l c. K. MOORE VOTING; MACHINE Filed July19, 1937 x 6 Sheets-Sheet'4 U NN@ Ml w w w C v July 7, 1942. c. K. MOOREVOTING MACHINE Filed July 19, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 w M0 U W C C. K.MOORE VOTING MACHINE July 7, 1942.

Filed July 19, 193'? 6 Sheets-Sheet-6 Patented July 7, 1942 UNTED STATESFATENT OFFICE VOTING MACHINE Charies` K. Moore, Brownwood, Tex.

Application July 19, 1937, Serial No. 154,560

(Cl. 23E-0) 13 Claims.

This invention relates to electrical voting machines.

An important object of the invention is to provide a voting machinewherein a vote for any oiiice may be cast merely by pressing a buttonand wherein duplication in voting for a given office is positivelyprevented.

A further object is to provide a voting machine having a plurality ofindividual voting units divided into groups according to the variousoices to be voted for, and to provide each group with a master controlmeans rendering it completely inoperative upon the casting of one vote,thereby preventing fraudulent duplication in voting.

A further object is to provide each group or voting units with a mastercontrol switch for the purpose stated, and to provide novel means forclosing the master control switches to render all of the voting unitsoperative upon the entrance of a voter into the voting booth.

A further object is to provide a voting machine of the characterreferred to wherein the master control switches are respectively thearmatures of master solenoids, each of which is energized upon theoperation of any voting unit of its group, thereby attracting thearmature forming the master switch of such group to prevent furthervoting A further object is to provide an apparatus of this characterwherein a single operating means is controlled by the entrance of avoter into the voting booth for rendering all of the master switchesoperative to permit the voter to cast a vote in each of the votinggroups.

A further object is to provide an electrically controlled printing meansfor recording the votes in the various voting groups, wherein endlesspaper sheets are progressively wound upon collecting spools as thevoting progresses.

A further object is to provide such an apparatus wherein the names ofthe various candidates, or other indicia, are typed upon the paperstrips through typewriter or similar ribbons, and wherein automaticmeans is provided for advancing the paper strips in a step by stepmovement as the voting progresses.

A further object is to provide such an apparatus wherein the paper stripadvancing means simultaneously operates to advance the typing ribbon ina similar step by step m-ovement.

A further object is to provide a paper and type ribbon control apparatusof the character referred to wherein each step by step actuation takesplace automatically upon the operation, of

the gate or door through which the voters enter and leave the votingbooth.

A further object is to provide a novel type of voting unit inconjunction with its master control means, wherein the pressing of abutton or the closing of a similar switch energizes electromagneticmeans to print on the paper strip the name of the candidate voted for,and wherein, upon completion of the printing operation, the parts arerestored to normal position simultaneously with the operation of themaster control means for rendering the voting group inoperative.

A further object is to provide each voting unit with a lightilluminating the name of the candidate represented by the unit, togetherwith means operative upon the entrance of a voter into the booth forsimultaneously operating all of the lights to illuminate the names ofall of the candidates for the various offices.

A further object is to provide such an apparatus wherein means areprovided for opening all of the circuits through the lights of a votinggroupimmediately upon the casting of a vote through the operation of oneof the units of the group.

A further object is to provide each voting unit with a counterautomatically operated upon the casting of a vote, whereby the totalnumber of votes for each candidate may be quickly and readily determinedupon the closing of the voting.

A further object is to provide novel means for cutting or severing thepaper strip between the supply roll and the collecting roll upon thecornpletion of the voting.

A further object is to provide cutting means of the character referredto which is automatically operable upon the removal of the cover of thevoting machine, thus automatically closing the election upon the removalof the cover and preventing any fraudulent continuation of the voting.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentduring the course of the following description.

In the drawings I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In thisshowing:

Figure l is a perspective View of the machine,

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same, a portion of the casing beingbroken away to indicate the positions of the voting units,

Figure 3 is a plan view of the mechanism of the machine asV a whole, thecasing being shown 1n elevation and parts being broken away,

Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View taken substantiallyon line 4 4 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical sectional View adjacent one end of theapparatus, taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a similar View taken through the opposite end of theapparatus, substantially on line 5 5 of Figure 2,

Figure 'l is a diagrammatic View of the apparatus within a voting booth,showing the electrical system for the apparatus,

Figure 8 is a plan view of one of the voting units and associatedelements at the right hand end of the machine as shown in Figure 7,showing the electrical system therefor and its connection with itsassociated master control switch machanism and the operating mechanismfor the latter,

Figure 9 is a detail sectional View showing one of the master controldevices and the operating mechanism therefor,

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view showing the gate and supportingmeans therefor, the gate being shown in open position and parts beingshown in elevation,

Figure 1l is a similar View showing the gate in closed position,

Figure 12 is a plan view of the gate showing the electrical connectionstherefor,

Figure 13 is an elevation of the paper cutting mechanism, portions ofthe base and casing of the apparatus being shown in section,

Figure 14 is an enlarged sectional view of the cutter supporting tubeand associated elements, parts being shown in elevation and parts beingbroken away,

Figure l5 is an elevation of the paper cutters and the supporting bartherefor, parts being shown in section,

Figure 16 is an enlarged fragmentary seotional View through one end ofthe apparatus showing the paper cutting means and casing locking means,parts being shown in elevation,

Figure 17 is a detail view of one of the casing locking mechanisms.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the numeral I0 designates the base of theapparatus,r which supports all of the working parts thereof, as willbecome apparent. Such working parts are covered by means of a casing Il,the vertical walls of which are supported at their lower edges on thebase I0; In a manner to bedescribed, the casing Il is locked in positionon the base I0 to prevent any tampering with the mechanism. The casingII is provided with a sloping wall I2, and this wall is provided withsuitable openings or windows through which the illuminated names of thecandidates and the offices for which they are running may be viewed bythe voter. "En the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the wall I2is provided with two elongated openings I3 arranged in end to endrelation and closed by glass windows I4, supported in position in amanner to be described.

Referring to Figure 7, it will be noted that the apparatus is arrangedwithin a voting booth indicated as a whole by the numeral I5, and itwill be apparent that this booth may be of any desired type. Thepassageway I of the booth is closed by a gate I l, which is swunginwardly upon the entrance of a voter into the booth and outwardly whenthe voter leaves the booth. The supporting means and the electricalconnections operated by the gate are Vof the types shown in Figures l0,1l and l2. The bar of the gate is supported at one end by a verticalshaft I8 having its lower end arranged in a bearing I9. The shaft I8 isprovided with a roller 2i] operating over a cam 2l so designed that theroller 20 is at the low point 22 of the cam, when in closed position.Obviously, therefore, the gate Il gravitates to its closed position.

A vertical bracket 23 extends upwardly from the bearing I 9 and carriesa second bearing 24 for the shaft i8. Above the bearing 2li, the bracket23 supports a ring 25 formed of insulating material, and this ring isprovided with a contact 2S to which is connected a wire 2l (Figures '7and l2). The shaft I8 carries an insulating member 28 to which isattached a spring contact member or brush 29. A wire Si) is connected tothe brush 29, and this brush normally is out of engagement with theContact 26, as shown in Figure 12. When a voter enters the booth, thegate I'I is swung in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 7 andl2, in which case the brush 29 engages the contact 2G to close twomagnetic circuits to be referred to, the closing of these circuitspreparing the apparatus for operation. As will become apparent, thecircuit across the wires 2l and 30 need be completed only momentarily.This circuit is completed when a voter enters the booth, whereupon thegate il returns to normal position. When the voter leaves the booth, thegate ll turns in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figures *land l27 and this operation obviously moves the brush 29 away from thecontact 26, and accordingly has no effect on the circuits controlled bythe wires 2l and 39.

The apparatus to be described prints a record of each individual vote onsuitable paper stripping provided for such purpose. As a practicalmatter, it is preferred to provide two separate paper strips 3| (Figures5 and 6) wound .as at 32 on supply spools 3l. The printed paper stripsare collected on record spools 33 each of which has a separable section34 secured as at 35 to the body of the spool and adapted to receive theend of the paper strip therebeneath to insure the positive windingthereof. The spools 3l and 33 are respectively mounted on shafts 36 and31. The ends of these shafts are respectively supported in the bearings38 and 3S of bearings brackets 4t, the bases @I of which (Figures 5 and(i) are secured to the base I0. A single spool 3l and a single spool 33may be employed for winding the two paper strips, the adjacent edges ofIhese strips being supported as shown in Figure 3 for a purpose to bedescribed.

From the supply spool 3 I the paper strips pass upwardly and forwardlyat an angle around a platen 42 mounted on a shaft 3, and the ends ofthis shaft are supported in bearings M carried by the brackets lill'. Atypewriter ribbon or similar element "l5 passes along the platen 42forwardly thereof as shown in Figures 3 and 5. This ribbon is preferablyendless and advances along the platen in a step by step movement bymeans to be described. The ribbon passes around idler rollers @26 andMadjacent opposite ends of the platen 42. Rearwardly of the apparatus,the ribbon passes around rollers 48 and G9. Adjacent one end of theplaten, the ribbon passes around a driving roller 59 to which motion isimparted in a manner to bedescribed to provide the step by step movementof the ribbon. The same source of power isl employed for advancing thepaper strips and for advancing the ribbon,

and such source of power preferably is in the form of an electro-magnetenergized upon the opening of the gate l1. y

Referring' to Figure 6, the numeral 5l designates a solenoid supportedin a suitable angle bracket 52, and this bracket in turn, is secured toa 'vertical bracket 53 extending longitudinally of the apparatus, asshown in Figure'3. The bracket 53 forms one of the supporting elementsfor the voting units to bedescribed. The solenoid l is arranged'adjacent one end of the apparatus, such as the right hand end as viewedin Figure 3. An armature 54 is provided for the solenoid 5I and a spring55 urges the armature to the position shown in Figure 6. A screw 56,threaded in the bracket 53,'limits the movement of 'the armature 5d uponenergize.tion of the solenoid 5l.

Oneend of the platen di! is provided with a ratchet wheel 5l'. A leverE8 is pivoted 'upon the shaft 43 and carries a pawl 59 engageable withthe teeth of the ratchet wheel 5i. The other end of the lever 5S isconnected as at 'Sii to the end of the armature eli. This connection, ofcourse, may be sufiiciently loose to compensate for the slightly'arcuatepath of movement of the lower end of the ylever 58 without causing vthearmature 54 to bindwithin the core of the solenoid. Upon each opening ofthe gate li, the solenoid 5l is energized, whereupon the armature Eilmoves to advance the platen one step, thus moving the paper strip theproper distance between lines of printing thereon.

IfRfeferring to Figures 3, 5 and 6, it will be noted that the platen l2and spool 33 are connected by an endless drive member 6l, and the stepby step movement of the platen is th'us imparted to the spool 33 to windthe paper strips thereon. The endless member 5l is adapted to slip onthe spool 33 as the paper collects thereon, thus compensating for therogressively increasing diameter of the paper strips on the spool 33.

As previously stated, the endless rib-bon 45 passes around the roller5d, and the same source of power is employed for advancing the paperstrip and for advancing the ribbon. Asshown in Figures 3 and el, theshaft 43 is provided with a friction drive member 62 engageable beneathan outstanding ilange 63 carried by the roller 53. Accordingly'it willbe apparent that each step by step movement of the platen transmitssimilar movement to the roller 5@ to advance the ribbon 45. Of course,the ribbon 45 is preferably slightly tensioned to maintain it in a Atautcondition, and for this purpose, the rollers i8 and 59 are preferablymounted on swinging arms A@il (Figure 6). The arms may have down turnedends supported in small bearings 55 carried by the brackets 46, andvtorsion springs 66 tend to turn the arms 66 to maintam the ribbon in ataut condition.

The mechanism referred to keeps the ribbon relatively tightly stretchedand in proper frictional engagement with the roller 50 to be advancedstep by step in the manner described. Such means also tends to maintainthe ribbon in proper position between the rollers 41 and'between therollers d8 and lie. If desired, additional smallidler rollers 61 may beprovided in the forward and rear runs of the ribbon, and such rollersmay b-e supported in any suitable manner, as by means of posts E38.

sans may be provided for assisting in maintaining the Vpaper strips 3lin snug engagement with the platen. Such means is preferably in the formof a roller or rollers 6d', carried by arms 65' pivotally connected tobrackets E6', and these brackets may be supported by the bracketsl 53previously described. Torsion springs `61 are adapted to turn the arms65 in a counter-clockwise direction asl viewed in Figure 5, to maintainthe roller or rollers 64 snugly against the paper passing around theplaten.

Theapparatus `is provided with a. plurality'of voting units, a suficientnumber of .units being employed in each machine to provide one unit foreach candidate for all of the oflices to `be voted'upo'n. As Will bereferred to later, these units are electrically divided into groups,'each group :containing units corresponding to the candidates runningfor a given oflice. For e'xample, in a State election, one votinggroupmay contain a unit for each'of the candidates for Governor, another'group may contain a unit for each candidate for Lieut. Governor, etc.rThe voting units have been illustrated in detail in Figures 3,' 5, 6and 8.

The various voting units are identical with eachother, and only one needbe described in detail. Each 'unit comprises a double solenoid formed ofindividual solenoids 6% and 'Eil arranged in end to end relation andprovided with a common armature il. At its inner end, each armature isprovided with a type b-ar l2 carrying the name of the Candif aterepresented by the corresponding voting unit. Upon energi'zation of thesolenoid t@ in a manner to be described, Vthe type bar strikes theribbon it and thus prints the name of the candidate upon one of thepaper strips. Upon subsequent energization of the solenoid 19, thearmature 'il will be restored to its normal position, as illustrated.

The double solenoids of the various units are supported at their rearends by the bracket 53, previously described, this bracket extendingthroughout the greater portion of the length of the apparatus as shownin Figure 3. A somewhat similar forward bracket i3 supports the forwardextremities oi the double solenoids. Both of these solenoid supportingbrackets are supported on the base ii?, as shown in Figure 5. Thebracket i3, above the associated solenoid le, is provided with anextension i4, the upper end of which turns rearwardly to form ahorizontal supporting bracket 35. rIhis bracket carries an insulatingmember supporting a light bulb 'il'. The bracket "i5 also supports aninsulating strip i8 which carries a spring arm 'i9 having a push button83 secured to the free end thereof and extending through an opening Siin the sloping wall l2 of the casing. The push button 8G, upon beingdepressed, engages a contact E2, supported by the insulating strip i5.

As previously stated, the wall l2 of the casing is provided withopenings I3 having windoW glasses le therebeneath. One edge of each ofthe glasses Hl is mounted on a supporting strip 83 (Figure 6) and thebody of the glass is supported by spring clips ed secured against thebottom of the wall I2. Beneath each glass I4, and also supported by theclips 855, is a translucent strip S5 upon `which is printed the names ofthe various candidates for oice. Each candidates name is arranged aboveone olf-the buttons and is illuminated by the corresponding light Tl. As

will be described, the pressing of the button 80 registers a vote forthe corresponding candidate, whereupon the entire group of voting units,that is, the group containing the names of candidates `for the sameoflice is rendered inoperative and the corresponding lights 11simultaneously have their circuits broken.

A counter 86 is provided for each voting unit. Each counter has a rockshaft 81 to which is connected the lower end of an arm 88, and the upperend of this arm is slotted as at 89 to receive a pin 90 carried by thecorresponding armature 1|. Obviously each counter adds one to its totalof votes upon each actuation of the armature 1|.

Above each armature 1I, the bracket 13 is provided with a smallhorizontally extending bracket si (Figures 5, 6 and 8) and this bracketcarries a pair of guides 92 in which is slidable a bar 93, preferablysquare in cross-section to permit it to slide without rocking. This baris provided at its ends with outstanding fingers 94 and 95 engageable byan upwardly extending nger 96 carried by the armature 1| adjacent itsextremity. It will Ibe apparent that movement of the solenoid armaturecauses the finger 96 to engage the iinger 94 upon energization of thesolenoid 69, while energization of the solenoid 10 causes the finger 96to engage the nger 95. This structure provides a lost motion operationwhereby the bar 93 is actuated only near the ends of the stroke of thearmature, for a purpose to be described.

The bar 93 is provided with an insulating strip 91 to which is connecteda Contact 98, and near the end of the operating stroke of the armature,the contact 98 is driven between spring contacts 99. The contacts 99 maybe supported by the vertical portion of the bracket A similar pair ofspring contacts H30 is supported at one side of the armature 1| (Figures5 and 8) and these contacts are engageable by a contact |0| having alaterally turned end |532 secured to the extremity of the armature 1|'.As will become apparent, engagement of the contact |0| with the springcontacts |09 breaks the circuits through the solenoid 69, light 11 andpush button 80, while engagement of the contact 98 with the springcontacts 99 closes a circuit through the solenoid to return the armature1| to its normal position. The nger 96 engages the nger 94 near the endof the operating Stroke of the armature 1| to close the circuit acrossthe contacts 99. After energization of the solenoid 19, the finger 95engages the nger S5 near the end of the return movement of the armatureto disengage the contact 98 from the spring contacts 99.

As previously stated, the individual voting units are electricallygrouped together in accordance with the offices being voted upon. Asshown in Figure '7, for example, the voting units may be made up ofgroups A, B, C, D, E and F, each group comprising voting units for agiven office, such as Governer, Lieut. Governor, States Ate torney, etc.As also previously stated, each group is provided with a master controlmechanism whereby all of the units of each group may be renderedoperative upon the entrance of a voter into the booth and whereby theunits of each group may be simultaneously rendered inoperative upon thecasting of one vote by operating any unit of the group. The mastercontrol mechanisms have been diagrammatically illustrated in the upperright hand corner of Figure 7 and `have been lettered to correspond tothe designations of the groups of voting units in the same gure of thedrawings. The electrical connections for one of the master controlmechanisms are shown in detail in Figure 8, and the structures of suchmechanisms will be clear from the mechanical disclosures in Figures 5, 6and 9.

Each master control mechanism comprises an electro-magnet |03 having anarmature |04 pivotally supported at one end as at |05. Each armaturecarries a contact |06 engageable with a stationary contact |01, and aspring |08 urges each armature to the position shown in Figure 8 withthe contact |96 engaging the contact |01. The solenoids |03 may besupported in any suitable manner, and have been shown in Figures 5 and 6as being supported by upstanding brackets |09 having their lower endssecured to the base l0.

Each master control mechanism further comprises a pivoted latch bar ||0having a latch nger engageable with the corresponding armature |04 tolatch it inwardly toward its magnet |03 with the contact |06 disengagedfrom the contact |01. The latch bars H0 may be pivotally connected toposts ||2 arranged on a support I3.

Referring to Figures 5, 6, '7 and 9, the numeral ||4 designates a barhaving offset ends ||`5 supported in bearing lugs I6 which may becarried by the bracket 13. As shown in Figure 6, the bar H4 obviously iseccentric with respect to the offset ends H5, and extends beneath thefree ends of the latch bars H9. Upon the rocking of the bar H4 about theaxis of the extensions |l5, it will be apparent that the latch bars willbe simultaneously lifted to release all of the armatures |04. Thisoperation is accomplished by energization of an electro-magnet I1 havingan armature |18 depending from one of the offset ends ||5 of the bar H4,as clearly shown in Figure 9. The electro-magnet ||1 is energized in themanner to be described upon the entrance of a voter into thebooth l5.

The wiring system for the apparatus is shown in Figures and 8, thelatter ligure showing the wiring connections for one of the voting unitsand its associated master control mechanism. Referring to Figure 7, thenumeral H9 designates the source of current having opposite terminalsconnected respectively to a pair of main feed wires |20 and |2| shown asextending along all of the voting units of the various groups. The wire30, previously described, is tapped into the wire |2| while the wire 21is connected to one terminal of the platen and ribbon operating solenoid5|, The other terminal of the magnet 5| is connected to a wire |22tapped into the feed wire |20, as shown in Figure 7, and the wires 21and |22 lead to the respective terminals of the magnet ||1. With thecircuit thus described, it will be obvious that the opening of the gatel1 en ergizes 'the solenoid 5| to operate the step by step mechanism foradvancing the platen and ribbon. Since the magnet ||1 is connected inparallel with 'the solenoid 5|, it will be apparent that the magnet willbe simultaneously operated, and this operation results in the unlatchingof all of the latch bars il@ to release the master control switches|634.

A wire |23 (Figures 7 and 8) is connected at one end to the wire |2| andbranch wires |24 are connected between this wire and the contacts |01 ofthe several master switch units. From each of the contacts |01, a wire|25 leads to one terminal of the corresponding magnet |83, as moreclearly shown in Figure 8. As previously stated, the opening of the gatei1 releases ail of the master switch arms |84, and upon the operation ofa voting unit in any of the groups referred to, the

corresponding magnet |63 will be energized to attract its armature,namely, the switch arm |04, and under such conditions, all of the votingunits of such group will be rendered inoperative, as will be shown.

The wiring connections for one of the voting units is shown in detail inFigure 8. A wire |26 is connected at one end to the feed wire |20, andis branched as at |21' and |28 for connection with one terminal of eachof the respective solenoids 69 and 1i). A wire |29 is connected betweenthe wire |26 and one terminal of the light bulb 11. A wire |30 isconnected between the second terminal of the solenoid 69 and one contactoi the push button 80, the other Contact of this button being connectedby a wire |3| to the master switch arm |04 which controls the group ofvoting units of which the unit shown in Figure 8 is a part, the wire |3|being branched for connection to the various buttons 83, as shown inFigure 7. The second terminal of the light bulb 'VI is connected to thewire ISI by a wire |32, `and accordingly it will be apparent that thepush button 8@ is in series with the solenoid 60 and in parallel withthe light bulb ll,

The second terminal of the solenoid 'I0 is connected by a wire E33 toone of the clips 99, and a wire |34 is connected between the other clip90 and the feed wire |2l. Accordingly it will be apparent that thecircuits for the two solenoids 69 and i of each unit are connected inparallel, energization of the solenoid G9 being dependent upon theoperation of the push button 09, and energization of the solenoid 10being dependent upon the closing of the circuit across the clips 99 bythe jack switch 98.

A wire |35 is tapped into the wire |25 and leads to one of the clips|90. The` other clip |00 is connected by a wire |35 to the secondterminal of the magnet m3, the wire |35;` being branched for connectionto one of the clips |90 of each voting unit as shown in Figure 7.Accordingly the closing of the circuit across the clips |00 by the jackswitch liti under conditions to be described energizes the magnet |533,thus attracting its armature |534. This operation breaks engagementbetween the contacts |06 and |01, which operation, as will be described,renders inoperative all of the units of the group controlled by thecorresponding switch |04.

The apparatus described is operative for providing quick and efficientvoting while eliminating any chance of fraudulent duplication in voting.It will become apparent that such apparatus is complete in itself, butit ispreferred that means be provided for definitely terminating thevoting uponthe removal of the casing I to tabulate the votes- Themechanism employed for definitely terminating the voting is preferablyin the form of an automatic strip cutting mechanism by means of whichthe paper strips 3| are automatically severed between the feed roll andthe ribbon, thus rendering the operation of any of the voting unitsinoperative until the strips which have been printed are removed fromthe apparatus, and the advancing end of the paper strips from the feedroll have been secured to the record spool S3.

The automatic paper cutting mechanism has been shown in detail inFigures 13 to 16 inclusive.

As .shown in Figure 5, the paper cutting mechanism is arranged betweenthe paper feed roll and the ribbon and comprises a pair of supportingposts Ito arranged adjacent opposite ends of the apparatus andsupporting a horizontal tubular member 4| This tube is provided with anupper slot |42 extending substantially throughout its length and a pairof lower aligned slots |43 and |44 having their inner ends spaced fromeach other as shown in Figure 14. A rod |45 is mounted to slide in thetube |4| and carries a pair of cutting units at its ends as shown inFigure 15, these units being respectively designated as a whole by thenumerals |46 and |41. Each end of the bar |i5 is transversely slotted toreceive a block M8 carrying a cutting wheel |49 arranged against acutting blade |50 having an inclined cutting edge |5|. The inclinationof the cutting edges of the two cutting members |50 is in the directionor" movement of the cutting operation, as will become apparent.

The cutting unit |45 is provided with a depending shank |52, preferablyformed integral with the associated cutting blade |50 and provided atits lower end with a ring |53 or similar linger piece by means of whichthe cutting mechanism may be reset, as will apparent. The shank |52 isalso provided with an eye |54 to which is connected one end of anelongated tension spring |55, the other end of this spring beingconnected to the supporting post lli@ at the opposite end of theapparatus, as shown in Figures 13 and 14.

A latch member |55 is pivctally connected as at |55' to the post |40adjacent the normal position of the cutting unit |45. This latch memberis provided with a latch hook |57 engageable with a pin |58 projectinglaterally from the shank |52. When the latch member |5 is in theoperative position shown in Figure 13, the cutting mechanism is set foroperation. An operating member |50 is pivotally connected to the latchmember |56 as at |50 and is biased to the normal position shown inFigure 16. Obviously, the operating member |59 is free to swingdownwardly from the position shown, but upon upward movement of theoperating member |59, this member and the latch member |55 operate as aunit to release the latch hook |51 from the pin |58. A lug or finger I5!is secured to the casing and is of suflicient length to prevent theremoval of the casing without operating the member |53.

At least one lock post |2 is secured to the base i0 adjacent each end ofthe machine, and each post is slotted as at iii-3 to receive a lock bar|64 carried and operated by a lock It will be apparent that the lockposts |52 are arranged in close proximity to the ends of the casing andaccordingly the casing cannot be moved longitudinally when being removedfor the purpose of preventing the finger |551 from operating the member|59.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

As previously stated, the voting apparatus is arranged within the boothl5 to which access is had through the gate l?. Assuming that theapparatus has been operated to vote for various candidates, the severalmaster switches |04 of the master switch units A, B, D, C, E and F willbe held in latched position as indicated in Figure 9, all of the masterswitches under such conditions being disengaged from their contacts |01.Upon entering the booth, the prospective voter swings the gate inwardly,thus moving the Contact 29 into engagement with the Contact 2:?5, Theengagement between these contacts takes place only momentarily, andafter entering the booth, the voter releases the gate, whereupon itgravitates to closed posi-tion by virtue of the engagement of the roller29 (Figures 10 and 11) with the cam surface 2|. The momentary making ofthe circuit across the contacts 26 and 29 is all that is necessary toprepare the entire apparatus for the voting operation.

The engagement of the switch contacts 26 and 29 closes the parallelcircuits through the solenoid and magnet I|1 through wires I2| and 39,through switch contacts 29 and 26, wire 21, across the solenoid 5| andmagnet I I1, and back to the source through wires |22 and |29. Theenergization of the magnet |I1 causes it to attract its armature IIB(Figure 9) thus rocking the bar |I4 about the axis of the stub shaftsI5. The bar I|4 engages beneath the free ends of the latch bars ||0, allof these bars normally occupying the solid line position shown in Figure9. Thus all of the latch bars ||9 will be simultaneously elevated uponswinging movement of the gate I1 in a clockwise direction as viewed inFigure '1, and the spring |98 of each master switch |94 will move it toits closed position as shown in Figure 8. As will become apparent thisoperation places each of the voting units in condition for operation.

Energization of the solenoid 5| causes its armature 54 (Figure 6) to beattracted, and accordingly the lower end of the lever 53 will swing in aclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 6. AThe pawl 59, engaging one ofthe teeth of the ratchet wheel 51, rotates the platen one step, thusadvancing the paper strips 3| around the platen the proper distancebetween printed lines. Rotation of the platen is imparted to the recordspool 33 through the endless drive member 6I, and accordingly the recordspool is positively advanced, upon each actuation of the ratchet wheel51, to wind the paper strips on the record spool. The paper strips, ofcourse, are unwound from the supply spool 3| as the operation referredto takes place.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, it will be noted that the endless ribbon45 is advanced in a step by step, movement simultaneously with thecorresponding movement of the platen. The friction wheel 52 is carriedby the platen shaft 43 and engages the friction disk 63 of the ribbonroller 59. At each movement of the platen therefore, the friction wheel62 advances the ribbon roller 59, thus causing the ribbon to be advancedin a step by step movement corresponding to that of the platen. Thus theprinting operations are successively advanced to different portions ofthe ribbon as in the operation of a conventional typewriter.

As previously stated, the releasing of the master switches |94 preparesall of the voting units for operation. Moreover, the closing of themaster switches illuminates all of the lights 11 throughout the lengthof the machine. In this connection, it will be noted that the strips 95(Figure 6) are formed of translucent material and carry the name of acandidate above each light 11, together with the party atliliation ofthe candidate and the oflice for which he is running. These candidatesare divided into groups according to the oices for which they arerunning. For example, in Group A, the name of a candidate for Governorof a State may appear above each of the lights 11. In Group B the nameof a candidate for Lieut. Governor may appear above each of the lights,etc.

Accordingly it will be apparent that after entering the booth, the voterwill have plainly displayed before hm the names of all the Candidatesfor all of'the offices to be voted upon, thus greatly facilitating theselection of the various candidates to be voted for. The cir-cuit forthe light 11 of one of the voting units will be clearly apparent fromFigure 8. Current flows from one side of the source through wire |23through one of the branch wires |24 to the associated contact |91. Thiscontact engages the contact |96 under the conditions stated, andaccordingly the light circuit will be completed through the switch arm|94, wires |3`I and |32, light 11, wires |29 and |26, and thus back tothe source. As will be explained, all of the lights of each voting groupwill have their circuits broken upon the casting of a Vote for onecandidate in the group.

Prior to the Voting operation, all of the parts of each voting unit willoccupy the position shown in Figure 8. Assuming that a voter hasselected the candidate represented by the unit in Figure 8, it merely isnecessary for him to press the push button 89 to cast his vote. Suchoperation completes a circuit through the solenoid 69, this circuitbeing the same as for the light 11 up to and including the wire |3I,which is directly connected to one terminal of the push button. Uponoperating the push button, the circuit is completed to the wire |3| inthe manner described, thence to the wire |39 through the solenoid 69,and thence back to the source through wires |21, |26 and |29.

Energization of the solenoid 69 attracts the armature 1|, causing it tomove to the right as viewed in Figure 8. The type bar 12 strikes theribbon 45, thus impressing on one of the paper strips the name of thecandidate for whom the vote is being cast. The jack switch I 9| iscarried by the armature 1I and accordingly moves therewith. The jackswitch 98 is carried by the bar 93, which is slidably supported by thebracket 9|. Since the pin 96 (Figure 8) occupies the position shown inFigure 8 before the push button is operated, it will be apparent thatthis pin must move a substantial distance before engaging the finger 94to cause the jack switch 98 to connect the clips 99. This operationtakes place substantially simultaneously with the engagement of the jackswitch |9I with the clips |99.

The engagement of the two jack switches with their respective clipsperforms two operations, namely, rendering all of the solenoids 69 ofthe units of the group inoperative against further voting, andenergizing the solenoid 19 to effect the return of the parts of the unitto normal position. Upon engagement of the jack switch |9I with theclips |99, a circuit will be completed through wires |23, I 24 and |25,through magnet coil |93, and wire |36, across the clips |99, and back tothe source through wires 35, I 26 and |29. Thus a circuit will becompleted through the master magnet |93, whereupon this magnet attractsits armature I 94. This armature will move toward the magnet until itclears the latch shouldei- III (Figure 9) whereupon this latch drops tooperative position to prevent the armature |94 from moving to operativeposition, namely, the position shown in Figure 8. As will be clear fromFigure 7, each branch wire |24 forms the main wire for one side of thecir-cuits for all of the units for one voting group, and after thecasting of a vote in a manner to be described, the circuit through thewire |24 for the group of which the operated unit is a part, will bebroken. The energization of the solenoid 69 of any unit of the group,upon operation of the push button, is dependent upon the completion ofthe circuit across the corresponding contacts |06 and |91, andaccordingly no further voting can take place in the group referred to.Thus each armature |04 forms the master switch for one of the votinggroups.

As previously stated, the jack switch 98 will be actuated by the fingera5 substantially simultaneously with the closing of the circuit acrossthe clips Mill. When the clips 99 are electrically connected by the jackswitch 98, a circuit will be completed through wire |34, clips 99, wire|33, the coil of solenoid '19, and thence back to the source throughWires |28, |23 and I2S. At the completion of the printing operation,therefore, the energization of the solenoid 'i attracts the commonarmature of the two solenoids, thus returnn ing the armature andconne-cted parts to their normal positions. As the normal position ofthe armature is approached, the finger will engage the finger 95, thusmoving the jack switch 98 out of engagement with the clips Si). Thus thesolenoid l will be deenergized, and all of the units of the group willremain inoperative until another voter enters the booth. The lost momtion connection between the armature 'H and jack switch 98 is providedto permit the latter to remain in engagement with the clips 99 and thusretain the circuit for the solenoid l!! closed until the armature 1| andassociated parts have nearly reached their inoperative position. Themomentum of the parts will be ample to complete the movement toinoperative position upon the breaking of the circuit across the clipsS9.

Havin(r voted for a candidate for one office, the corresponding masterswitch lo@ will render inoperative the group including the voting unitwhich has been operated. The remaining master switches IM will remain inoperative position, and accordingly the voter may proceed from group togroup operating only a single voting unit of each group. After castinghis vote for each candidate for oflice, the voter then leaves the booth,under which conditions the gate ll will be turned in a counter-clockwisedirection as viewed in Figure 7. the brush 23 under such conditions,being moved away from the contact 25 without eiecting an operation orany of the electrical elements of the apparatus. If the Voter has cast avote for each candidate, all of the master switches IM will occupy theposition shown in Figure 9 when the voter leaves the booth.

The neXt voter, upon entering the booth, will move the gate il inwardly,whereupon the operations previously described will be repeated, all

of the master switches being released and all of i.

the voting units being prepared for operation, and the platen and ribbonbeing advanced another step by the mechanism described.

After the voting has been completed, and the tabulation of votes is totake place, an authorized olcer will unlock the casing and remove itfrom the base iii. The removal of the base can take place onlysubstantially vertically due to the location of the various parts, andupon the elevation of the casing the finger ii (Figure 13) will engagethe operating member |58, thus causing the latch |53 to release the pin|53. The spring |55 then moves the cutting unit toward the right fromthe position shown in Figure 13, and each of the cutting elements willsever its associated strip, the cutting unit then assuming the positionshown in solid lines in Figure 14.

This operation severs the paper strips between the supply roll 32 andthe ribbon d5 whereupon the record roll may be removed to provide apermanent record of the vote. The number of votes need not be counted onthe record roll since the counters 66 will have counted each of thevotes cast for each candidate. It will be apparent that each counter isconnected by its associated arm 88 to one of the armatures 1|, and thecomplete operation of any armature H causes an operation of theassociated counter B5. Thus these counters record the total number ofvotes for each candidate, and the number of votes may be readilyascertained after the cover or casing is removed.

The voting machine can be placed in operation for further voting only byrestoring the normal condition of the paper strip. In other words, theadvancing edges of the severed strips must be again connected to therecord spool by clamping them beneath the removable section 34. Prior tothis operation, however, the operator should engage the finger piece |53(Figure 13) an-d restore the cutting unit to its normal position. Thecutting unit is moved to the left as viewed in Figure 13 against thetension of the spring |55 until the latch |55 engages the button |58.The casing then may be replaced by moving it substantially verticallydownwardly, the finger escaping over the operating member |59 since thismember is free to turn downwardly. The casing is then locked, whereuponit is ready for further operation.

From the fore-going it will be apparent that the present apparatusprovides numerous highly advantageous features. The name of each voteris illuminated, and upon the casting of a vote for any candidate, thecircuits through the lights beneath the names of all candidates for thesame @nice are broken. All of the units of a group are renderedcompletely inoperative upon the casting of one vote in such group, thusrendering the fraudulent duplication of votes impossible. The votes areautomatically counted; the record strips are automatically advanced withthe names of the candidates printed thereon; the ribbon dii isautomatically advanced by the entrance of each voter into the booth, andthe record strip is automatically severed upon the removal of the casingl to ascertain the results of the voting. It will be apparent that theapparatus is of such nature as to greatly facilitate the operation ofvoting for cliierent candidates, a minimum amount of time being requiredfor 'each voter.

It is to loe understood that the form of the invention herewith shownand described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, andthat various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subioined claims.

I claim:

1. A Voting apparatus comprising a plurality of voting units eachinclu-ding an electro-mag netic device, manually operable means forclosing the circuit through the electro-rnagnetic device of each unit, amaster switch for the cirn cuits of said electiomagnetic devices, anelectro-magnet for opening said master switch upon the operation or anyone of said manually operable means, and a latch automaticallyengageable with said master switch when the latter reaches open positionfor holding it in such position.

2. A voting apparatus comprising a plurality of voting groups eachcomprising a plurality of voting units` each of said units comprising anelectro-magnetic device operative for casting a vote, and a manualswitch for said electro-magnetic device, a master control switch for allof the electro-magnetic devices of each group, an electro-magnetenergizable for opening each master control switch, means operative uponthe energization of any one of said electro-magnetic devices forenergizing said electro-magnet, a latch engageable with each mastercontrol switch when the latter reaches open position, and common meansfor simultaneously releasing all of said latches.

3. A voting apparatus comprising a plurality of Voting groups eachcomprising a plurality of voting units, each unit comprising anelectromagnetic voting device and a manual control switch therefor, amaster control switch for all of the electro-magnetic devices of eachgroup, means for opening each of said master control switches uponenergization of any one of said 'Y electro-magnetic devices in thecorresponding group, means for latching each master control switch inits open position, and common means for simultaneously releasing all ofsaid latches.

4. A voting apparatus comprising a plurality of voting groups eachcomprising a plurality of voting units, each unit comprising anelectromagnetic voting device and a manual control switch therefor, amaster control switch for all of the electro-magnetic devices of eachgroup, means for opening each of said master control switches uponenergization of any one of said electro-magnetic devices in thecorresponding group, means for latching each master control switch inits open position, a rocking member having an eccentric portionsimultaneously engageable with all of said latches, and electromagneticmeans for operating said rocking member to simultaneously release all ofsaid latches.

5. A voting apparatus comprising a booth having an entrance passageway,an entrance gate normally blocking said passageway whereby a voter mustmove said gate when entering and leaving said booth, a voting machine insaid booth remote from said gate comprising a plurality of voting units,each voting unit comprising an electro-magnetic voting device, a manualswitch for each electro-magnetic device, a master control switch foropening the circuits of all of said electro-magnetic devices, anelectromagnet for opening said master control switch, means operativeupon operation of any one of said manual switches for energizing saidelectromagnet, and means operative upon movement of said gate forrestoring said master control switch to closed position.

6. A voting apparatus comprising a booth having an entrance passageway,an entrance gate normally blocking said passageway whereby a voter mustmove said gate when entering and leaving said booth, a voting machine insaid booth remote from said gate comprising a plurality of voting units,each voting unit comprising an electro-magnetic voting device, a manualswitch for each electro-magnetic device, a master control switch foropening the circuits of all of said electro-magnetic devices, anelectro-magnet for opening said master control switch, means operativeupon operation of any one of said manual switches for energizing saidelectro-magnet, a latch engageable with said master switch for holdingit in open position, and means operative upon movement of said gate forreleasing said latch.

'7. A voting apparatus comprising a plurality of voting groups eachcomprising a plurality of voting units, each of said units comprising anelectro-magnetic device operative for casting a vote, and an individualmanual switch for said electro-magnetic device, a master control switchfor all of the electro-magnetic devices of each group, means biasingeach master control switch to closed position, an electro-magnetenergizable for opening each master control switch, means operative uponthe energization of any one of said electro-magnetic devices forenergizing said electro-magnet, means for deenergizing eachelectro-magnet after it has opened its associated master control switch,a latch engageable with each master control switch when the latterreaches open position, and a single rocking eccentric means engageablewith all of said latches for releasing them.

8. A voting apparatus comprising a plurality of voting groups eachcomprising a plurality of voting units, each of said units comprising anelectro-magnetic device operative for casting a vote, and an individualmanual switch for said electro-magnetic device, a master control switchfor all of the electro-magnetic devices of each group, means biasingeach master control switch to closed position, an electro-magnetenergizable for opening each master control switch, means operative uponthe energization of any one of said electro-magnetic devices forenergizing said electro-magnet, means for deenergizing eachelectro-magnet after it has opened its associated master control switch,a latch engageable with each master control switch when the latterreaches open position, said latches being arranged substantially inparallel relation, and a single mechanical device extending across theplanes of and engageable with said latches and operative forsimultaneously releasing them.

9. A voting apparatus comprising a plurality of voting units eachincluding a pair of axially aligned solenoids having a common armature,individual manually operable means for closing a circuit through a firstsolenoid of each pair to effect a voting operation, a master controlswitch for the circuits of the rst solenoids of all of the pairs, anelectro-magnet for opening said master switch, means for energizing saidelectro-magnet upon movement of either armature upon energization of thefirst solenoid of the associated pair, and means operative upon movementof either armature upon energization of the first solenoid of eitherpair to complete a circuit through the other solenoid of such pair toreturn the armature to normal position.

10.' A voting apparatus comprising a plurality of voting units eachincluding a pair ci axially aligned solenoids having a common armature,individual manually operable means for closing a circuit through a rstsolenoid of each pair to effect a voting operation, a master controlswitch for the circuits of the first solenoids of all of the pairs, anelectro-magnet for opening said master switch, means for energizing saidelectro-magnet upon movement of either armature upon energization of thenrst solenoid of the associated pair, means operative upon movement ofeither armature upon energization of the rst solenoid of either pair tocomplete a circuit through the other solenoid of such pair to return thearmature to normal position, means for latching said master controlswitch in open position when moved to such position by saidelectro-magnet, and remotely operable means for releasing said latchingmeans.

11. A voting apparatus comprising a booth having an entrance passageway,an entrance gate normally blocking such passageway whereby a voter mustmove said gate when entering or leaving said booth, a voting machine insaid booth remote from said gate comprising a plurality of voting unitseach comprising an electromagnetic voting device, and a manual switchfor -such electro-magnetic device, a master control switch for thecircuits of all of said electro-magnetic devices, means for opening saidmaster control switch upon operation of any one of said manual switchesto simultaneously open the circuits of all of said electro-magneticdevices, and means operative upon movement of said gate for restoringsaid master control switch to closed position.

12. A voting apparatus comprising a plurality of voting groups eachcomprising a plurality of voting units, each of said units comprising anelectro-magnetic device operative for casting a vote, and an individualmanual switch for such electro-magnetic device, a master control switchfor the electro-magnetic devices of each group, said master controlswitch being biased to closed position, means operative upon theoperation of any one of said manual switches for opening thecorresponding master control switch to simultaneously open the circuitsthrough all of the electro-magnetic devices of the corresponding group,means for holding each master control switch open after it has openedthe circuits through the electro-magnetic devices of its correspondinggroup, a single mechanism operable for simultaneously releasing all ofsaid master control switches for movement to closed position, and anelectro-magnetic device for operating said single mechanism.

13. A voting apparatus comprising a plurality of voting groups eachcomprising a plurality of voting units, each of said units comprising anelectro-magnetic device operative for casting a vote, and an individualmanual switch for said electro-magnetic device, a master control switchfor all of the electro-magnetic devices of each group, means biasingeach master control switch to closed position, an electro-magnetenergizable for opening each master control switch, means for holdingeach master control switch open after it has been moved to openposition, means operative upon the energization of any one of saidelectro-magnetic devices for energizing said electro-magnet, means fordeenergizing each electro-magnet after it has opened its associatedmaster control switch, and a single mechanism operable forsimultaneously releasing all of said master control switches formovement to closed position.

CHARLES K. MOORE.

